Doing Business in Bentonville — Top Stories
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Consumers in Flux: Key Insights from Mintel’s 2025 Global Trends
Mintel’s 2025 Global Consumer Trends unveil how the interplay of home, community and global contexts is reshaping shopper behaviour—vital intelligence for omnichannel leaders.
Ep. 2 - Stablecoin Meets Omnichannel
Stablecoin is reshaping retail payments with instant refunds, cheaper settlements, and programmable rewards. Discover how AI, automation, and transparency are building faster, smarter checkout systems that power the next wave of omnichannel commerce.
Editors' Picks
2025 Holiday Sales to Exceed $1 Trillion, NRF Predicts
U.S. holiday retail sales are projected to cross $1 trillion for the first time, signaling steady consumer demand and a crucial test for omnichannel strategy execution.
Aldi, AI, and TikTok Reshape 2025 Holiday Retail
From Aldi’s value-driven surge to AI-powered gifting and TikTok Shop’s impulse economy, 2025 holiday retail is rewriting the shopper playbook.
Inside Walmart’s Tech Stack: AI, Automation, and Omnichannel Innovation
Walmart’s technology stack—from AI-powered search to fulfillment center automation—drives its omnichannel leadership and sets a retail industry benchmark.
Ep. 2 - Stablecoin Meets Omnichannel
Stablecoin is reshaping retail payments with instant refunds, cheaper settlements, and programmable rewards. Discover how AI, automation, and transparency are building faster, smarter checkout systems that power the next wave of omnichannel commerce.
Ep. 3 – Your Store Is the Strategy
Friction kills retail growth, and fixing it starts in the aisles. Learn from strategist DeAnn Campbell how small design and data shifts turn stores into profit engines. Discover how AI, layout, and culture upgrades can lift loyalty, sales, and engagement across every channel.
Retail Media in Grocery: From Side Hustle to Growth Engine
Grocery retail media is transforming from ad space to core strategy. Discover how Amazon, Walmart, and Kroger use data, loyalty, and in-store tech to link ads to sales, boost merchandising, and turn every aisle into measurable media. Learn what’s working and what comes next in retail media.
Ep. 5 – Impulse Clicks & Holiday Picks
Aldi proves that value still wins when quality meets discipline. We break down its growth, smart Instacart strategy, and how AI and TikTok are reshaping holiday shopping. Discover what drives traffic, loyalty, and retail success this season.
Ep. 2 - Stablecoin Meets Omnichannel
Stablecoin is reshaping retail payments with instant refunds, cheaper settlements, and programmable rewards. Discover how AI, automation, and transparency are building faster, smarter checkout systems that power the next wave of omnichannel commerce.
AI’s Sameness Problem: Why Marketers Should Take Notice
Generative AI is delivering undeniable scale — but its growing “sameness” in content poses real risks for marketers striving to stand out.
Creating Smarter Business with AI and Quantum
In a live episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Arvind Krishna explore how AI and quantum computing are reshaping enterprise strategy.
Ep. 3 – Your Store Is the Strategy
Friction kills retail growth, and fixing it starts in the aisles. Learn from strategist DeAnn Campbell how small design and data shifts turn stores into profit engines. Discover how AI, layout, and culture upgrades can lift loyalty, sales, and engagement across every channel.
Consumers in Flux: Key Insights from Mintel’s 2025 Global Trends
Mintel’s 2025 Global Consumer Trends unveil how the interplay of home, community and global contexts is reshaping shopper behaviour—vital intelligence for omnichannel leaders.
Skims Reaches $5 B Valuation, Plans Physical Store Expansion
Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand reaches a $5 billion valuation and plans to significantly expand its physical retail footprint.
Starbucks Baristas Strike on Red Cup Day Over Contracts
More than 1,000 unionized baristas at Starbucks Corporation across over 40 U.S. cities have initiated an indefinite strike during Red Cup Day, pressing for a collective bargaining agreement that addresses pay, staffing and benefits.
How User‑Generated Content Strengthens Omnichannel Brand Strategy
User‑generated content is a powerful tool for omnichannel brands—building authenticity, social proof and community across all customer touchpoints.
Only 17% of Retailers Achieve Unified Commerce Maturity
Most retailers struggle to unify digital and in-store systems, exposing a major gap in delivering seamless omnichannel experiences.
Retailers Struggle to Prove ROI on In-Store Technology
Nearly half of North American retailers can’t quantify the return on in-store tech, raising concerns about investment impact.
Protect Your Brand: Know Your Caller Reputation
Unidentified and spoofed calls are increasingly hurting brand reputation and call answer rates—marketers and contact‑center leaders must act now.
UGA & MRII Launch New “Principles Express” Bundles for Market‑Research Pros
The University of Georgia and MRII now offer area‑specific “Principles Express” course bundles to help insights professionals rapidly gain specialised market‑research skills—ideal for today’s omnichannel retail challenges.
Walmart Faces Scrutiny Over Omnichannel Price Transparency
New York’s proposed pricing transparency law could fine retailers like Walmart $250 per violation if online and in-store prices aren’t clearly disclosed.
U.S. Stocks See Divergent Moves Amid Shutdown End Hopes & AI Concerns
A rally in the Dow Jones Industrial Average contrasts with weakness in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite as investors balance optimism over the U.S. government shutdown ending with renewed worries about high‑flying AI valuations.
Retail Feels Impact of Global and U.S. Policy Uncertainty
Geopolitical shifts and domestic policy turbulence are adding complexity to retail operations, supply chains, and consumer behavior.
Administration Appeals Judge’s SNAP Funding Mandate Amid Shutdown
The Trump administration appeals a judge’s order to fully fund SNAP in November, creating uncertainty for grocers and retailers serving benefit‑dependent shoppers.
Retail Real Estate Shows Growth Despite Store Closures
Though closures remain headline‑driven, the underlying market momentum shows investors placing bets on the next‑gen store formats and fulfilment nodes rather than traditional big‑box expansion.
Burberry Returns to Growth with China and Heritage Focus
Burberry posts its first quarter of growth in two years, crediting British heritage revival and strong sales in China.
Columbia Sportswear Appoints Co‑Presidents in Succession Plan
Columbia Sportswear appoints two co-presidents to support its succession strategy and drive global brand and DTC growth.
Holiday Shoppers Shift to Early Deals and Delayed Payments
U.S. consumers are starting holiday shopping earlier, leaning on buy-now-pay-later, and hunting discounts as inflation and job worries shape spending habits.
Retailers Shift from Mass Market to Micro Targeting
U.S. retailers adopt hyper-personalized approaches, using AI and real-time data to deliver tailored omnichannel shopper experiences.
Retailers Favor Automation as Holiday Hiring Declines
With holiday hiring at decade lows, retailers turn to automation and lean operations to manage peak season demand efficiently.
Retail Real Estate Shows Growth Despite Store Closures
Though closures remain headline‑driven, the underlying market momentum shows investors placing bets on the next‑gen store formats and fulfilment nodes rather than traditional big‑box expansion.
Retailers Cut Holiday Hiring Despite $1T Sales Forecast
U.S. retailers expect record holiday sales in 2025 but are hiring fewer seasonal workers, signaling a shift toward automation and leaner operations.
Consumers in Flux: Key Insights from Mintel’s 2025 Global Trends
Mintel’s 2025 Global Consumer Trends unveil how the interplay of home, community and global contexts is reshaping shopper behaviour—vital intelligence for omnichannel leaders.
Social Commerce Becomes Retail’s New Checkout Channel
TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are transforming content into commerce, requiring retailers and vendors to adapt fast to in-app buying trends.
Retailers Shift from Mass Market to Micro Targeting
U.S. retailers adopt hyper-personalized approaches, using AI and real-time data to deliver tailored omnichannel shopper experiences.
Amazon Launches “Haul” Storefront and Early Holiday Sale
Amazon debuts an ultra-low-price “Haul” storefront with items under $10 and launches an early Black Friday-style event.
Retailers Shift from Mass Market to Micro Targeting
U.S. retailers adopt hyper-personalized approaches, using AI and real-time data to deliver tailored omnichannel shopper experiences.
Louvre Heist Highlights Cybersecurity Risks in Retail
A Louvre security breach underscores urgent cybersecurity gaps facing retailers ahead of the high-risk holiday shopping season.
Etsy Holiday Campaign Focuses on Personalized, Purposeful Gifting
Etsy’s 2025 holiday ads celebrate small moments and real-world characters, promoting personalized gifts amid a leadership transition.
Walmart Faces Scrutiny Over Omnichannel Price Transparency
New York’s proposed pricing transparency law could fine retailers like Walmart $250 per violation if online and in-store prices aren’t clearly disclosed.
Social Commerce Becomes Retail’s New Checkout Channel
TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are transforming content into commerce, requiring retailers and vendors to adapt fast to in-app buying trends.
Skims Reaches $5 B Valuation, Plans Physical Store Expansion
Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand reaches a $5 billion valuation and plans to significantly expand its physical retail footprint.
Mastering Gift Guide PR: A Brand’s Roadmap to Editorial Placement
Brands that start early, match their product to the right outlet, and offer affiliate‑ready availability have the best shot at gift‑guide placement—and in today’s omnichannel world, that coverage signals demand, trust and readiness across all channels.
How Modern Retail Strategies Are Meeting the Needs of Today’s Parents
Parenting brands are thriving through omnichannel retail by blending empathy, convenience, and connection across digital and physical platforms.
Retailers Favor Automation as Holiday Hiring Declines
With holiday hiring at decade lows, retailers turn to automation and lean operations to manage peak season demand efficiently.
Retailers Cut Holiday Hiring Despite $1T Sales Forecast
U.S. retailers expect record holiday sales in 2025 but are hiring fewer seasonal workers, signaling a shift toward automation and leaner operations.
Retail Layoffs Highlight Growing Divide Between Growth and Employment
Despite strong consumer demand, retailers lead in job cuts as companies prioritize automation and tech-driven operations over headcount growth.
Only 17% of Retailers Achieve Unified Commerce Maturity
Most retailers struggle to unify digital and in-store systems, exposing a major gap in delivering seamless omnichannel experiences.
Louvre Heist Highlights Cybersecurity Risks in Retail
A Louvre security breach underscores urgent cybersecurity gaps facing retailers ahead of the high-risk holiday shopping season.
Cold Chain Innovation: How Grocery Is Going Greener and Smarter
As shoppers demand fresher, faster deliveries and sustainability takes centre stage, grocery logistics is re‑engineering the cold chain with new packaging, IoT sensors and lean delivery strategies.
Centric Software Drives Retail Efficiency with PLM Tools
Centric Software’s PLM and AI solutions help retailers streamline product development, enhance inventory planning, and support sustainability goals.
Boost Productivity with the 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 Rule, or Pareto Principle, reveals how focusing on a small percentage of efforts can yield substantial results in productivity and personal fulfillment.
Consumers in Flux: Key Insights from Mintel’s 2025 Global Trends
Mintel’s 2025 Global Consumer Trends unveil how the interplay of home, community and global contexts is reshaping shopper behaviour—vital intelligence for omnichannel leaders.
Social Commerce Becomes Retail’s New Checkout Channel
TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are transforming content into commerce, requiring retailers and vendors to adapt fast to in-app buying trends.
Retailers Favor Automation as Holiday Hiring Declines
With holiday hiring at decade lows, retailers turn to automation and lean operations to manage peak season demand efficiently.
Retail Real Estate Shows Growth Despite Store Closures
Though closures remain headline‑driven, the underlying market momentum shows investors placing bets on the next‑gen store formats and fulfilment nodes rather than traditional big‑box expansion.